From: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu
To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu
Subject: Skunk Works Digest V5 #179
Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu
Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu
Precedence: bulk
Skunk Works Digest Tuesday, 10 January 1995 Volume 05 : Number 179
In this issue:
Re: Ben Rich
Re:Hessdalen lights
Mr. Ben Rich
Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) hike 1/21/94
Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #178
WS125A is...?
SR-71 return. Req. for latest.
Re: SR-71 return
Re- Boscombe Down Crash
Re: Re- Boscombe Down Crash
OLs, Dets and others, again
See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the skunk-works
or skunk-works-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Belle001@aol.com
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 21:14:17 -0500
Subject: Re: Ben Rich
The following is an excerpt from the San Jose Mercury...
'SKUNK WORKS' ENGINEER BEN RICH DIES 1/6/95
VENTURA (AP) -- Ben R. Rich, the nationally acclaimed engineer who helped
develop the top-secret war planes and stealth fighters at Lockheed Corp.'s
Skunk Works, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 69.
Mr. Rich, who spent 40 years with the company before retiring as its
president in 1991, died at Community Memorial Hospital on Thursday, Lockheed
spokesman James Ragsdale said.
Mr. Rich had undergone surgery in September 1993 for cancer of the esophagus.
''Ben made many significant contributions to our nation's defense and to
Lockheed throughout his long and distinguished career,'' said Daniel M.
Tellep, chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed. ''We will remember
and sorely miss his wit, wisdom and sage counsel.''
The super-secret Skunk Works, which operated out of a Lockheed facility in
Burbank, earned a reputation as a revolutionary innovator of war planes
during the height of the Cold War. Even after the Cold War crumbled, Mr. Rich
was reticent about details of his work, which was so clandestine he was not
allowed to discuss it even with his wife.
Throughout his career, Mr. Rich helped design the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71
Blackbird plane. He also led Lockheed's development of the world's first
stealth fighter, the F-117A.
Leo Janos, who collaborated with Mr. Rich on the recently published memoir of
Mr. Rich's years at Skunk Works, called him ''the father of stealth
technology which has revolutionized air warfare as we know it far into the
future.''
Mr. Rich was elected vice president of the Calabasas-based Lockheed in 1977.
He was named vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Advanced
Development Co., informally called Skunk Works, in 1975. He became president
in 1990.
Last year, Mr. Rich was awarded the Pentagon's highest civilian honor, the
Distinguished Service Medal.
Born in the Philippine Islands in 1925, Mr. Rich earned a bachelor's degree
in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a
master's degree in the same discipline from the University of California, Los
Angeles. He also held an advanced management degree from Harvard University.
Mr. Rich was a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics and won that organization's national aircraft design award in
1972. He also was a fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of
Engineering, and a member of Tau Beta Pi, the honorary professional
engineering society.
He is survived by his wife, Hilda; a son, Michael; and a daughter, Karen.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the
University of Southern California-Norris Cancer Hospital or the Flight Test
Historical Foundation at Palmdale.
MERCURY CENTER CODE: N111 ID: me17717o
Transmitted: 95-01-06 10:48:15 EST
------------------------------
From: pwatson@utdallas.edu
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 21:41:36 -0600
Subject: Re:Hessdalen lights
These sound a lot like the "Marfa" lights in Texas. While on a Geology
field trip in 1976 in Big Bend National Park the local Professor at
SolRoss told us about these strange lights that appeared out in the
desert between Marfa and Alpine Texas. After a few beers we rounded up 30
students and the bus driver and drove the charter Grayhound 10 miles out
into the desert. While looking out the window I told my professor wow
look at all these ranchers back porch lights, who in their right mind
would live out here? He remarked no one, those are the Marfa lights. I
said BS and got out with the Astronomy club and their 6" Celestron
telescopes and we watched these lights for the next 3 hours. They were
real, they were very yellow, they lasted only 1 to 5 minutes each. They
would fade in getting brighter over 30 seconds and then they would start
to move up and down about 2 degrees and move side ways. They they would
slow down and stop and fade out over 30 seconds. There were only 3 to 15
visible at a time. I was crazy with interest but the locals and the
professors said this had been going on for 100 years. In WWII some Army
airforce planes crashed there thinking it was their airfield. Project
BLUEBOOK had come out with chase planes, radio dispatched jeeps and
chased them long into the night all to no avail. Some say ball lightning,
Indian spirits, swamp gas, inverted headlights from the road over the
mountain range but no one knows. I went back 5 years ago and drove my van
80 miles and hour down dirt roads until my brother got sleepy and made
me quit. They are there every night, more in spring and fall, they all
look like they are a mile away and you can never reach them. I describe
it as a man out there pointing a 2 D cell flashlight at you, he starts to
move his arms up and down to his limits, he walks sideways to you and
then his batteries fade dead.
Regards,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Watson, pwatson@utdallas.edu "The difference between
Purchasing Department death and taxes is death
The University of Texas at Dallas doesn't get worse every time
DISCLAIMER: MY THOUGHTS ONLY!!! Congress meets." Will Rogers
ph# 214/690-2307, fax# 214/690-2348
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
From: ak336@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (John Dill)
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 1995 00:46:57 -0500
Subject: Mr. Ben Rich
The legacy of Mr. Ben Rich will fly far above the mostly humble
pursuits of people like myself. His impact on avaition will perhaps
change the lives of us all and I think we who honor spirit and adventure
will forever honor the likes of him.
When the real movers and shakers leave us....we ought to pause for a
moment to reflect on their impact....their legacy to us!
Thanks Mr Rich.....
- --
"Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full!"
------------------------------
From: TRADER@cup.portal.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 95 12:14:22 PST
Subject: Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) hike 1/21/94
[forwarded mail]
Subj: Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) Picnic Jan. 21
Date: January 5, 1995 5:12 PST
From: psychospy@ping.ping.com
To: psychospy@aol.com
[Supplement to the Groom Lake Desert Rat.]
Everyone in the world is invited to...
THE SECOND ANNUAL COULD-BE-CLOSED-ANY-DAY-NOW FREEDOM RIDGE
PICNIC.
Taking place SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1995, starting at 11:00 am (or
whenever you arrive).
Come, bring your lawn chairs, binoculars and picnic lunch. Watch
the secret base just sit there. Freedom Ridge is a hill, still on
public land, overlooking the "nonexistent" GROOM LAKE AIR BASE
featured in recent national newscasts and the LARRY KING UFO
SPECIAL. Although you can visit the Ridge at any time (until the
land is closed), here is a chance to do it as a communal
experience.
This event is not to be confused with the "Freedom Ridge End-of-
the-World Party," which will be held only when we have a formal
closing date. The Air Force is seeking legal control of this land
to keep visitors off. Last year at this time, we gathered for our
first "Could-Be-Closed-Any-Day-Now Freedom Ridge Picnic,"
expecting it to be our last chance to see the base. The land is
still open, however, thanks to the many federal procedures the Air
Force itself must follow to obtain it. At this event, we will
relive old times and celebrate the wonders of bureaucracy.
DISCLAIMER
This is a loosely organized get-together of interested citizens.
There is no schedule of events and people can do whatever they
want as long as they obey the law. The organizers of this picnic
accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or injury. You are
responsible for your own safety and for understanding the rules
and risks of the place you are visiting. Below we have tried our
best to give you the information you'll need to enjoy this event
safely.
GENERAL PLAN
We will meet at 11 am (Pacific Time) at the Freedom Ridge
trailhead. (See directions below.) After a briefing, we will
proceed to the top by foot or four wheel drive. Stragglers can
hike up on their own on a well marked trail when they arrive. At
the top, we'll sit around in our lawn chairs, roast wieners over
the fire and debate the Meaning ot Life.
UFOs and Secret Aircraft are not guaranteed and probably won't
appear.
LOCATION
Freedom Ridge is a hill on public land next to the border of the
Nellis Air Force Range about 12 miles west of the Groom Lake air
base. The base can be plainly seen in the distance, but you will
need binoculars or a telescope for the best view.
The location is about 140 road miles north of Las Vegas. The
nearest towns are Rachel and Alamo. The terrain is scrub desert
at an elevation of 5000 feet. Due to the altitude, patchy snow
cover is possible in January, with daytime highs in the 40s or
50s. Weather is usually good, but there is a chance that rain,
snow or wind will mar the event. (It will proceed regardless.)
Heavy winter clothing, including hat, gloves and thermal underwear
should be brought in case they are needed.
The summit of Freedom Ridge can be reached by a moderately
challenging 50-minute hike from a well-maintained dirt road. The
trail is marked by yellow ribbons tied around Joshua trees. Any
vehicle can easily make it to the trailhead. The summit can also
be reached by a very rugged four wheel drive road taking a
different route, which will also be marked.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Freedom Ridge trailhead is about 2-1/2 hours north of Las
Vegas (or 2-1/2 hours east of Tonopah). From Las Vegas, go north
on I-15 about 20 miles to US-93 at Exit 64. Go north on US-93
about 85 miles to SR-375. Take SR-375 (not SR-318) west 15 miles
until you reach the big dirt road to Groom Lake at milepost 34.6.
(It is marked by a stop sign and maybe also a "THIS WAY TO SECRET
BASE" sign.) This is a good dirt road that any car can handle.
Take the dirt road west 13.6 miles until you see our cars parked
beside a "Keep Right" sign. DO NOT DRIVE PAST THE WELL-MARKED
MILITARY BORDER JUST BEYOND. Try to park off the road or as far
to the right as you can.
[For those who want to visit Freedom Ridge on another day, the
parking location is beside a "Keep Right" sign about 0.1 mile
before the border. Cross the road to find the yellow ribbons tied
around Joshua trees, and follow them. Do not cross the border
marked by orange posts or any new "Restricted Area" sign. To
avoid wandering across the border, do not hike at night. Security
guards will watch you but will avoid contact unless you cross the
border. Report any incidents to the event coordinator below.]
The best place to shop for supplies is Las Vegas. (Try Sahara
Ave. west of I-15.) Gas up there, too. There are no gas or
groceries between Las Vegas and Alamo. Last gas before Freedom
Ridge is at Ash Springs (or Rachel).
OPTIONS
People can feel free to come and go on any schedule they choose,
and the event will disperse whenever people decide to leave. For
those who cannot arrive by 11 am, our cars will be easy to find
and the trail is clearly marked. Look for instructions posted on
one of the cars.
This is intended as a day trip, since it is too cold for casual
camping (low of 10-30 degrees F). Those who feel comfortable with
"polar bear" camping can try spending the night. (We recommend
using two or three sleeping bags inside each other, plus a ground
cover.) Camping and campfires are allowed almost anywhere on the
public land outside the military border, including Freedom Ridge.
Motels are available in Rachel or Alamo (Rooms are limited so
reservations are essential.), but you can just as easily return to
Las Vegas.
RISKS
- -- The greatest danger in this area is wandering across the well-
guarded military border, which is immediately adjacent to Freedom
Ridge and the hiking trail. The border is marked by orange posts
every 50 yards and stainless steel balls on posts every quarter
mile. There is no fence. Wherever a road crosses the border, it
is marked by clear Restricted Area signs but no gate or guard
house.
People who are caught on the other side of the border are
immediately detained. A fine of $600 is usual, and you will have
to reappear in court if you want the fine reduced.
- -- Gas is available at only a few widely separated locations: Las
Vegas, Alamo, Ash Springs and Rachel. Be sure to approach the
area with a full tank of gas. The Ash Springs gas station is open
24 hours. Rachel's is open only 7am-7pm.
- -- Cars can easily get stuck in the sand or on rocks on
unmaintained dirt roads. Stay on the maintained dirt road unless
you have a four wheel drive.
- -- The 50-minute, 1-mile hike can be moderately challenging, but
shouldn't be much trouble for most people. The vertical distance
traveled is only about 500 feet, but the altitude makes it more
tiring than at sea level. People who are seriously out of shape
should think twice about hiking.
- -- When driving in this area, cattle in the road are a serious
danger. Cattle are unfenced and wander freely across the highway.
Drive slowly at night. If you hit a cow, you are required by law
to report it to the Sheriff or rancher.
BRING
- -- Binoculars or a telescope are important for viewing the base.
There is no legal limit to size and magnification.
- -- Wieners and buns will be provided for roasting over the fire,
but you should bring your own drinks and a backup lunch in case
the wieners run out. If you come at 11 am, there will be four
wheel drives available to transport your lunch to the top;
otherwise, you should be prepared to carry it yourself.
- -- Bring folding lawn chairs if you have them.
SANITATION
"Powder room" opportunities will be limited. A primitive latrine
will be erected at the summit of Freedom Ridge, but it won't be
pretty. The gentlemen shouldn't have much difficulty finding
discrete locations, but the ladies must plan ahead and take
advantage of their opportunities. Away from the ridge, all of
Nevada is at your disposal.
EXPECTATIONS
Some people may be disappointed by the view from Freedom Ridge.
What you see in the distance appears to be an ordinary Air Force
base--albeit a very large one--beside a dry lake bed. No flying
saucers or underground cities are evident. On weekends, the base
is usually very quiet, with little aircraft or vehicle traffic.
The main satisfaction is derived from the fact that this base
"isn't there" officially. The best viewing time is in the
morning, when the sun is behind you.
SECURITY
The border area is actively patrolled by an anonymous force of
security guards wearing camouflage fatigues and driving white Jeep
Cherokees. These "Cammo Dudes" watch Freedom Ridge with high
power binoculars and video cameras that are capable of reading car
license plates from a mile away. These guards are under orders to
avoid contact with visitors (unless you cross the border). If
they feel you have violated a law on public land, they will call
the Lincoln County Sheriff to investigate. In this open terrain,
the Sheriff can be seen coming from miles away.
The radio frequencies for the Sheriff are 154.86 and 155.77 MHz.
The radio frequencies for the security patrols are usually
scrambled; they include 418.05, 408.4, 142.2, 170.5 and 138.3.
Groom Lake aircraft frequencies are: 120.35, 127.65, 118.45 and
261.1.
Be aware that the security patrols may record your license plate
numbers and run them for identification.
FREE-SPEECH PROTEST (OPTIONAL)
According to a 1948 federal law (18 USC 795), it is illegal to
take or publish photographs of any military installation
designated by the President as requiring such protection--but
since the base does not officially exist it is hard to say what
should or should not be photographed. No one has ever been
prosecuted for taking pictures of the base, but the 1948 law has
been used by the local Sheriff's Dept. to confiscate film from
visitors. Regardless of what the film contains, it "vanishes"
into Air Force hands and is never returned.
To protest the arbitrary seizing of film from visitors and the
withholding of it without due process, we will be conducting a
"Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show" to coincide with the picnic.
Participants are invited to bring cameras and display them proudly
on the ridge. The "cameras" do not have to be functional or real,
and to avoid the charge of inciting a federal crime, we cannot
recommend that you bring film or video tape.
Your "camera" should be displayed only in the company of the
group, since our strength lies in numbers. If, by chance, you are
stopped by the Sheriff and are asked any question about
photography, you should politely decline to provide any
information and should not turn over any of your property without
a warrant. You also should not reveal to your fellow visitors
whether or not you have film in your camera, since there could be
spies among us. (They're invited, too!)
This is the second such "Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show."
For the first, last August, the authorities kept their distance
(except for a pleasant BLM ranger in a Smoky Bear hat), and there
was no confrontation. This time, we'll have to try harder.
COURTESIES
- -- Stay away from the rancher's compound.
- -- Do not litter.
- -- Do not bring drugs or any other illegal substances.
- -- Firearms are discouraged.
- -- Obey the speed limit and other commonsense laws, especially
within Lincoln County.
- -- Respect the land.
- -- Do not steal the Restricted Area signs.
- -- Do not taunt or moon the Cammo Dudes.
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you plan to spend a night in Las Vegas en route, be aware that
rooms in the city itself can be expensive and hard to find on
weekends. We recommend staying outside the city in one of the big
casino hotels at Stateline or Jean. Try Prima Donna (Exit 1 on I-
15) at 800-367-7383 or Nevada Landing (Exit 12 on I-15) at 800-
628-6682. Both are about $32 on Friday & Saturday nights and $18
on other nights.
Locally, the Little A-Le-Inn in Rachel has a limited number of
rooms. Call 702-729-2515. In Alamo, the Meadow Lane Motel and
Alamo Motel can both be reached at 702-725-3371. Rates here are
$25-$35.
VIEWER'S GUIDE
Detailed information on the area can be found in the "Area 51
Viewer's Guide." This 110-page visitor's guide includes maps,
milepost logs, reference list, equipment advice and other
information useful to travelers and researchers. It is available
for $15 plus $3.50 priority mail postage from: Area 51 Research
Center, HCR Box 38, Rachel, NV 89001. If time is short, it can
also be ordered by telephone from the Event Coordinator.
FINAL
If this document doesn't answer your questions, feel free to email
psychospy@aol.com or contact the Event Coordinator, Glenn
Campbell, at 702-729-2648. (Only collect calls can be returned.)
Feel free to copy this document and post it or send it to whomever
you wish.
###
------------------------------
From: DWalizer@aol.com
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 1995 15:57:33 -0500
Subject: Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #178
In the January issue of "Air Force Magazine", there is another story on the
A-12. This is a continuation of the article they published in their November
issue on the development and use of the A-12. This particular article deals
with project "Black Shield" and the overflights of North Viet Nam and North
Korea. Nothing real new, but just a good article on the history and use of
the Blackbirds, with the usual good photos.
------------------------------
From: freeman@netcom.com (Jay Reynolds Freeman)
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 1995 20:53:08 -0800
Subject: WS125A is...?
Will some Skunker remind me briefly of what aerospace weapons system goes by
id "WS-125A"? EMail is fine. Thanks. -- Jay Freeman (freeman@netcom.com)
------------------------------
From: Adrian Thurlow
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 95 12:41:57 +0000
Subject: SR-71 return. Req. for latest.
Hi Skunkworkers,
Mary recently posted an article briefly giving details of how NASA was to
loan the 'spare' bird back to the air force so they could make a certain
deadline. I assume that this was in response to a previous message that I
did not get.
What is the story and is there any latest news?
Regards
Adrian Thurlow / Det.4 9th SRW \
Technology Integration / \
BT Labs / _ \
Martlesham Heath ____(( ))_________/_/_\_\_________(( ))____
Ipswich \ \_/ /
Suffolk
U.K. Now only distant thunder
Tel. +44 1473 644880
Fax. +44 1473 646534
e-mail. Adrian.Thurlow@bt-sys.bt.co.uk
The views expressed above are not necessarily those of BT.
------------------------------
From: Adrian Thurlow
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 95 17:02:27 +0000
Subject: Re: SR-71 return
John writes:
>I thought I had read that there were more than one (three?) returning to
>celebrate something or other. I maybe wrong though....
>The SR-71 was certainly a great bird....
>I often wonder why the USAF gave it up without a fight...Aurora maybe?
>Cheers
>John
John you are correct, three are due to return to service. My post was
regarding the loan of NASA's spare bird to meet a certain deadline in the
air forces schedule.
BTW. What finer epitaph is there when 30 years on from design the SR-71
cannot be replaced by newer designs. Thanks Kelly and Ben.
Regards
Adrian Thurlow / Det.4 9th SRW \
Technology Integration / \
BT Labs / _ \
Martlesham Heath ____(( ))_________/_/_\_\_________(( ))____
Ipswich \ \_/ /
Suffolk
U.K. Now only distant thunder
Tel. +44 1473 644880
Fax. +44 1473 646534
e-mail. Adrian.Thurlow@bt-sys.bt.co.uk
The views expressed above are not necessarily those of BT.
------------------------------
From: "Clarence Dent"
Date: 10 Jan 1995 07:20:08 -0800
Subject: Re- Boscombe Down Crash
Subject:Re: Boscombe Down Crash
Jack,
I might have an answer to the Boscombe Down Crash. Has anyone checked the
location of the remaining flightworthy YF-22, or the two YF-23s? It is very
much possible that we are sharing technology. The last I heard, NASA at
Ames-Dryden owned the '23s, while the YF-22 was undergoing some special
ground testing (environmental?) Perhaps Mary Shafer would have a scoop on
this.
Let's not invent new planes if we can resurrect good existing ones!
relevant text follows:
From: jackg@holobyte.com
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 16:18:50 -0800
Subject: Re: Boscombe Down Crash
Subject: Re: Boscombe Down Crash
Author: Jack Gibbons at Spectrum
Date: 1/3/95 2:14 PM
A person told me recently that one day, while viewing Area 51, he saw
a small fighter size twin tail aircraft land on the runway after
deploying a drag chute and then taxing (sp?) into the scoot & hide
hanger near the runway. The person couldn't make out any detail or
specific color of the aircraft other than what I just described.
This sounds like it could be a similar aircraft to the one that
crashed at Boscombe Down. Any opinions?
- -Clarence
"Stealth is a technologically relative term."
------------------------------
From: "Andre Molyneux"
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 1995 10:08:06 -0800
Subject: Re: Re- Boscombe Down Crash
On Jan 10, 7:20, Clarence Dent wrote:
> Subject: Re- Boscombe Down Crash
>
> I might have an answer to the Boscombe Down Crash. Has anyone checked
> the location of the remaining flightworthy YF-22, or the two YF-23s?
> It is very much possible that we are sharing technology. The last I
> heard, NASA at Ames-Dryden owned the '23s, while the YF-22 was
> undergoing some special ground testing (environmental?)
>-- End of excerpt from Clarence Dent
Er, there isn't a flightworthy YF-22 anymore. One prototype crashed,
and the other was used for some sort of static ground testing that
rendered it unflyable. When last heard from, people at Edwards stated
that the YF-23's were sitting on the tarmac and weren't going to be
flown (and in fact that the agreement with the Air Force by which they
obtained the planes specifically prohibits them being flown). This
despite a published report somewhere that claimed that NASA was
preparing one of the two for flight.
Whatever was at Boscombe Down, it wasn't an ATF prototype.
- --
Andre
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Andre Molyneux KA7WVV | -=-------- PYRAMID TECHNOLOGY CORP |
| Internet: andrem@pyramid.com | ---===------ 3860 N. First Street |
| Packet: | -----=====---- San Jose, CA |
| ka7wvv@n0ary.#nocal.ca.usa.na |-------=======-- (408) 428-8229 |
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
------------------------------
From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 1995 01:02:17 -0500 (EST)
Subject: OLs, Dets and others, again
Here is the corrected and completed list of OLs and Dets.
Det X (USAF / CIA), Detachments):
- ----------------------------------
Detachment, USAF / CIA deployment base for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft
(later OL-n, then to OL-XX and Det n), where _X_ is a capital letter:
Det A - RAF Lakenheath, England, 1st WRSP, (WRSP-1), (Weather Reconnaissance
Squadron, Provisional), moved to:
- Wiesbaden AB, Germany, moved to:
- Giebelstadt AB, Germany
Det B - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, 2nd WRSP, (WRSP-2), later also known as:
Det 10-10, or TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics Group)
Det C - Atsugi AB, Japan, 3rd WRSP, (WRSP-3)
Det D - ?
Det E - ?
Det F - ?
Det _ - Groom (Dry) Lake Test Facility, 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), also known as:
'Watertown Strip', 'Aerea 51', 'The Area', 'The Ranch',
'Paradise Ranch', 'Dreamland', with U-2, moved 6/1960 to:
Det G - Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center, also
known as 'Special Projects Branch',
- 1969 redesignated 1130th ATTG, and belonging to ARDC, together with
the 6512th TG (also at Edwards AFB)
Det G'- Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, (pronounced "G prime"),
ground crew from Det G to suport aircraft and pilots drom Det H
Det H - Taoyuan AB, Taiwan, 35th Squadron, 'Black Cats', 6th Group, RoCAF
OL-n (USAF, Operating Locations):
- ---------------------------------
Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance
aircraft (later called Det n), where _n_ is a sequence number:
OL-1 - ?
OL-2 - ?
OL-3 - ?
OL-4 - ?
OL-5 - Eielson AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958 - 3/1960)
OL-6 - ?
OL-7 - ?
OL-8 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2, SR-71, also known as:
OL-RK, (OLRK), then OL-KA, (OLKA), later to Det 1
OL-9 - ?
OL-10 - ?
OL-11 - RAAF Laverton, East Sale, Australia, U-2, (HASP-deployment 11/1960 and
10/1961), moved to:
- RAAF Avalon, Australia, U-2, (the very last HASP-deployment 2/1965),
and back to:
- RAAF Laverton, Australia, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 7/1966)
OL-12 - ?
OL-13 - ?
OL-14 - ?
OL-15 - ?
OL-16 - ?
OL-17 - ?
OL-18 - Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment), and
- Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment and
HiCAT-deployment)
OL-19 - Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, U-2, (including HiCAT deployment), moved
1969 to:
- McCoy AFB, Florida, U-2
OL-20 - Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, also known as: 'Lucky Dragon', 'Giant Dragon',
and 'Trojan Horse', U-2, moved 7/1970 to:
- U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, to OL-RU, (OLRU),
redesignated 99th SRS (November 1972)
OL-XX (USAF, Operating Locations):
- ----------------------------------
Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance
aircraft (before and later called Det n), where _XX_ is a two letter code:
OL-RK - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as:
OL-8, OL-KA, (OLKA), (OLRK), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?),
(OL-8 became OL-RK on 10/30/1970, later changed to OL-KA),
(OL-RK stands for "Operating Location - Ryukyys", a chain of
islands, Okinawa is part of)
OL-KA - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as:
OL-8, OL-RK, (OLRK), (OLKA), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?),
(OL-RK became OL-KA on 10/21/1971, to Det 1 in 08/1974),
(OL-KA stands for "Operating Location - Kadena")
OL-RU - U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, previously known as:
OL-20 (at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, moved to U-Tapao RTAFB in 07/1970),
(redesignated 99th SRS, 11/1972, and moved back to Beal AFB, CA)
(OL-RU stands probably for "Operating Location RTAFB U-Tapao" ?)
OL-OH - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, U-2, also known as: (OLOH), later to Det 3,
(1992 redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW), missions were code named
'Olive Harvest', maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' (source 11),
(OL-OH probably stands for "Operating Location - 'Olive Harvest'"
OL-CH - Taif, Saudi Arabia, 1700th RW(P), U-2, (during Desert Shield/Desert
Storm and follow-up), missions were code named 'Camel Hump',
(OL-CH probably stands for "Operating Location - Camel Hump" ?)
OL-UK - RAF Alconbury, UK, U-2, previously designated 95th TRS, 17th RW,
(inactivated 09/15/1993, while operations continue as OL-UK),
(OL-UK stands for "Operating Location - United Kingdom")
Det n (USAF, Detachments):
- --------------------------
Detachment, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft
(previously OL-n), where _n_ is (usually) a sequence number:
Det 1 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, 1129th SAS, A-12, and 9th SRW, U-2,
SR-71, (ex OL-KA, (OLKA), ex OL-RK, (OLRK), ex OL-8)
Det 2 - Osan AB, South Korea, 9th SRW, redesignated 6th RS, 9th RW, U-2
Det 3 - Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958,
MIDAS-deployment and HiCAT-deployment), moved to:
- RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 9th SRW, redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2,
(ex OL-OH, (OLOH)), maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island'
Det 4 - Plattsburgh AFB, New York, U-2, (HASP-deployment), moved to:
- Ezeiza AB, Argentina, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/11/58 to 8/1959 and
5/1960 to 6/1960), moved to:
- RAF Mildenhall, UK, 99th SRS, 9th SRW, established 3/31/1979,
U-2 and SR-71A, (the U-2s moved 1980 to RAF Alconbury, UK,
becoming the 95th TRS, 17th RW, 1991 to OL-UK),
1980 - 1991 only SR-71
Det 5 - Patrick AFB, Florida, 9th SRW, U-2, (MIDAS-deployment and
HiCAT-deployment)
Det 51 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10,
(ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, U-2 and SR-71,
(before 12/31/1970, operations were part of AFSC),
reorganisation 09/1977 to:
Det 6 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10,
(ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, (ex Det 51),
U-2 and SR-71, (Headquaters at Norton AFB, California)
Det 10-10 - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, also known as TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics
Group), ex Det B (or 2nd WRSP), U-2
Main Bases and SAC / TAC / ACM Wings:
- -------------------------------------
- - Turner AFB, Georgia, 4080th SRW(L), (established April, 1, 1956),
equipped with RB-57D, moved Febrary-April 1957 to:
- - Laughlin AFB, Texas, 4080th SRW(L), equipped with U-2 and RB-57D,
redesignated 4080th SRW, (June 15, 1963),
finished July 1963 move to:
- - Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 4080th SRW,
redesignated 100th SRW, (June 15, 1966),
became 100th AREFW at Beal AFB, with KC-135,
and U-2 operations transferred to 9th SRW, (March/April 1976), at:
- - Beal AFB, California, 4200th SRW, (established January 1, 1965),
with SR-71 and T-38, redesignated 9th SRW, (established June 25, 1966),
combining all operational SR-71 and U-2, (March/April 1976),
all SR-71 retiered (January 26, 1990),
redesignated 9th RW, (1992), with U-2 and T-38
- - RAF Alconbury, UK, 17th RW, (established 1976), with U-2,
ex Det 4, inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK
SAC / TAC / ACM Squadrons:
- --------------------------
- - 4080th SRW(L) / 4025th SRS(L) 'Black Knights', (activated June 8, 1955),
at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, no aircraft assigned/received, moved:
to Turner AFB, Georgia, equipped with RB-57D, (May 1956), moved:
to Laughlin AFB, Texas, (February/May 1957),
deactivated June 15, 1960, RB-57D retired,
4080th SRW / 4025th RS, (reactivated July 1, 1965),
at Davis-Monthan AFB, with AQM/BQM-34, (ex Operation 'Lightning Bug'),
100th SRW / 350th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966),
deactivated 1976, when all SAC RPV assets were transferred to TAC
- - 4080th SRW / 4028th SRS, (activated May 1, 1956)
at Laughlin AFB, Texas, equipped with U-2, (June 11, 1957)
4028th SRWS, (redesignated June 13, 1957), moved:
to Davis-Monthan AFB, (July 1963),
100th SRW / 349th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966),
all U-2 operation transferred to 99th SRS, (1976),
100th AREFW / 349th AREFS, (redesignated 1976), with KC-135
- - 4080th SRW(L) / 4029th SRS(L), (paper unit, allocated April 1, 1956),
deactivated 1960,
9th SRW / 4029th SRTS, (reactivated August 1, 1981), with U-2R,
SR-71, ad T-38
9th SRW / 5th SRTS 'The Dragon Tamers', (redesignated 1976),
deactivated (?),
- - 9th SRW / 1st SRS, (activated 1960), with SR-71,
9th RW / 1st RS, (redesignated 1992), with U-2 and T-38
- - 9th RW / 5th RS, (established 1992), with U-2,
(at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex Det 3),
- - 9th RW / 7th RS, (established 1992), with U-2,
(at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex Det 2),
- - 9th SRW / 99th SRS, (established June 1966), with SR-71,
deactivated (as SR-71 squadron) (April 1, 1971),
9th SRW / 99th SRS, (re-established November 1972), with U-2,
(ex OL-RU at U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand),
9th RW / 99th RS, (redesignated 1992)
- - 17th RW / 95th TRS, (established 1976), with U-2,
(at RAF Alconbury, UK, from ex Det 4),
inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK
Other Units:
- ------------
- - 1129th SAS, Groom (Dry) Lake, Nevada, (Special Activities Squadron),
(deployed only operational to Det 1, Kadena AB, Okinawa),
established 1961/62 (?), CIA operated, deactivated June 1968,
with A-12
- - 1130th ATTG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center,
(Air Technical Training Group), also known as
'Special Projects Branch', ex 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), ex Det G,
established mid-1969, (belonged to ARDC), CIA operated,
deactivated mid-1974, with U-2
- - 2762th LS, Palmdale, Airforce Plant 42, (Logistics Squadron),
(belongs to AFLC), U-2 and SR-71
- - 1700th RW(P), Taif, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional)),
(also known as OL-CH), with U-2
- - 4200th TW, Beal AFB, California, (Test Wing), with B-52H and D-21
- - 4786th TS, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Squadron),
designated January 16, 1970, (ex SR-71/YF-12 Test Force,
established June 1965), with YF-12 (and SR-71 ?)
- - 6512th TG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Group),
(belongs to ARDC), with U-2
Other Operating Locations may include the following bases and air fields
around the world:
OL-x - Anderson AFB, Guam, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Bodo AB, Norway, U-2 and SR-71
OL-x - Charbatia, India, U-2
OL-x - Diego Garcia AFB, Guam, U-2 and SR-71 (once)
OL-x - Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Fiji Islands, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Griffiss AFB, New York, SR-71
OL-x - Hanscom AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Hickam AFB, Hawai, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Kunsan AB, South Korea, U-2, (1960s)
OL-x - Lahore, Pakistan, U-2
OL-x - Loring AFB, Maine, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Meshad, Iran, U-2
OL-x - Minot AFB, North Dakota, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/1959)
OL-x - NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, U-2
OL-x - Offut AFB, Nebraska, U-2
OL-x - Peshawar, Pakistan, U-2
OL-x - RAE Bedford, UK, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 3/1967)
OL-x - RAF Watton, UK, U-2, (RAF testing )
OL-x - RAF Wethersfield, UK, U-2, (ALSS-deployment Summer 1975)
OL-x - RNZAF Christchurch, New Zealand, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 6/1966)
OL-x - San Angelo, Texas, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, SR-71
OL-x - Sioux City, Iowa, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia, U-2 and SR-71, (SYPO - Senior Year
Programs Office)
OL-x - Zahedan airstrip, Iran, U-2
Civil Airports:
- ---------------
- - Burbank Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 and SR-71
- - Van Nuys Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2
Aircraft Carrier:
- -----------------
CVA-61 - USS Ranger - used for tests Mar. 2/5, 1964, (U-2G 'N801X'
and 'N808X'), with 'ONR' titles,
and operationally in May 1964 for 'Operation
Seeker') and maybe again in 1965/66
CVA-63 - USS Kitty Hawk - used for initial U-2A carrier tests in August of
1963, (U-2A 'N315X')
CVA-66 - USS America - used for U-2R carrier qualification in November of
1969, (U-2R 'N812X')
There are more locations, especially deployments of NASA aircraft, which
I have missed, please feel free to correct me and add your own $0.02 :)
Sources:
========
1) Dragon Lady - The History of the U-2 Spyplane, by Chris Pocock
2) Lockheed U-2 - AeroGraph 3, by Jay Miller
3) Lockheed U-2R/TR-1 - Aerofax Minigraph 28, by Jay Miller and Chris Pocock
4) Skunk Works - The First Fifty Years, by Jay Miller
5) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, by Paul F. Crickmore
6) Lockheed SR-71 - The Secret Missions Exposed, by Paul F. Crickmore
7) U-2 Spyplane in action, squadron/signal 86, by Larry Davis
8) SR-71 Blackbird in action, squadron/signal 55, by Lou Drendal
9) Gulf Air War Debrief, World Air Power Journal, Editor: Stan Morse
10) United States Air Force Yearbook 1994
11) The Black Watch, by Gann (which I don't know/have)
12) The Oxcart Story, by "Thomas P. McIninch"
13) email from John Stone
and many other.
- -- Andreas
- --- ---
Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl Absolute Software
313 West Court St. #305 schnars@umcc.ais.org
Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469
- --- ---
------------------------------
End of Skunk Works Digest V5 #179
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